Fishing Without Bait 495: Creating Yourself Through Choice Points with Santina Grace
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, we welcome back our imaginative, energetic returning guest Santina Grace for Part 2 of a deeply insightful conversation about mindfulness, self-awareness, grounding practices, and the inner battles so many of us face every day. Together, Santina and Jim dive into themes of anchoring thoughts, depersonalization, perspective shifts, emotional resilience, and reclaiming personal agency.
Fishing Without Bait 494: The Myth of Productivity & the Path to Real Joy with Santina Grace
Clairvoyant medium Santina Grace returns for a powerful conversation about finding joy in a chaotic world. Jim and Santina explore mindfulness, anxiety, fear, the myth of productivity, and how to reconnect with gratitude and inner peace. Learn how small moments, emotional awareness, and grounding techniques can help you manage stress, improve mental health, and rediscover joy with intention.
Fishing Without Bait 493: Why So Many Struggle With Guilt — The Religion Effect Explained
In Episode 493 of Fishing Without Bait, we continue our powerful two-part conversation on the lifelong impact of religiously reinforced guilt, shame, and fear. Building on the foundation set in Episode 492, Jim Ellermeyer and host Mike Sorg peel back the layers of how religious structures shape personal identity, relationships, sexuality, and self-worth.
Fishing Without Bait 492: A Culture Of Guilt Imposed By Religious Structure
In this reflective episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer takes listeners on a deeply honest exploration of the one practice most of us struggle with: letting go. Whether it’s fear, resentment, expectations, control, or the stories we’ve carried for far too long, Jim walks us through why release is essential—and how mindfulness helps us loosen our grip.
Fishing Without Bait 491: Discover Your Inherent Truths: The Secret to Confidence & Self-Worth
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, counselor and mindfulness guide Jim Ellermeyer takes listeners on a thoughtful and practical journey into the world of inherent truths—the deep personal values and qualities that define who we really are beneath expectations, judgment, and fear.
Jim opens the conversation by reminding us that self-discovery isn’t about finding a ready-made identity—it’s about creating ourselves with honesty, open-mindedness, and a willingness to try. He introduces the idea that inherent truths are fundamental aspects of identity that aren’t shaped by outside forces. These truths include qualities like empathy, honesty, dependability, intelligence, and the capacity to learn and love.
Fishing Without Bait 490: What Would Jesus Say to Today’s World Leaders?
In Episode 490, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike Sorg explore what leadership truly means through the lens of Jesus of Nazareth. From the radical humility and servant leadership he modeled 2,000 years ago to his timeless call for justice and compassion, Jim examines how these teachings apply to the world’s political and social climate today.
Fishing Without Bait 489: Stochastic Rhetoric: The Scary Trick Politicians Use to Manipulate Minds
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike Sorg wade into some deep—and dangerous—waters. Together, they explore how stochastic rhetoric and obfuscation have become the most powerful tools in modern political communication.
What do those words mean? In short, they describe how leaders and media use vague, coded, or confusing language to manipulate emotions, create division, and dodge accountability. From “dog whistles” to “plausible deniability,” Jim explains how these tactics quietly shape behavior and beliefs—without ever saying things outright.
Fishing Without Bait 488: Are You Being Fooled by Media? The Truth About Manipulation & Identity Loss
In this eye-opening episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer is joined once again by producer Mike Sorg to explore how modern media shapes our identities, fuels our purchases, and even distorts our sense of self-worth.
From emotional manipulation in advertising to influencer culture and data-driven targeting, Jim and Mike unpack the psychological tactics behind today’s media and tech. How does a Power Glove from the ’80s connect to the viral influencer culture of today? Are we in control of our choices—or are we reacting without realizing it?
Fishing Without Bait 487: Navigating Anxiety and Uncertainty with Mr. Rogers’ Wisdom
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer is joined by producer Mike Sorg for a heartfelt reflection on uncertainty, personal growth, and the enduring wisdom of Pittsburgh’s own Fred Rogers. Through the lens of full-impact mindfulness, they explore timeless quotes from Mr. Rogers that continue to offer strength, clarity, and hope in uncertain times.
Fishing Without Bait 486: “Not Today”: The One Phrase That Will Change Your Life
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike dive into the power of mindful communication through a series of simple yet profound phrases that can transform your relationships and internal peace.
Fishing Without Bait 485: Feeling Stuck? You Might Be Living on Autopilot
Do you ever feel like you’re stuck on autopilot—wake, work, eat, sleep, repeat?
In this episode, Jim Ellermeyer and Mike Sorg explore the difference between existing and living, breaking down the concept of being a human being versus a human doing. Through real-life examples and mindfulness practices, they help you reclaim your daily life through intentional action, journaling, and presence.
Fishing Without Bait 484: Reclaim Your Emotional Sovereignty Today
In Episode 484 of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike explore the inner chaos of racing thoughts and the anxiety that often stems from our own internal storytelling.
They introduce the concept of cognitive clarity—the ability to slow down your thinking, step out of the “mind drama,” and reclaim emotional control from others’ expectations. It’s a call to speak what you create, and create what you speak.
Fishing Without Bait 483: World Religions Agree on THIS… Why Can’t We?
In this eye-opening episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and co-host Mike Sorg take a step back from the noise and division to focus on the unifying principles found in the world’s major religions.
Fishing Without Bait 482: This Mindset Shift Changes Everything
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike Sorg take a transformative dive into a concept often overlooked in recovery, education, parenting, and everyday life: positive chain analysis.
Classic Fishing Without Bait 378: Dealing with Addiction with Tara V
We look back at our first conversation with Tara from KeepComingBack.net:
In this episode of the show, Jim Ellermeyer extends a warm welcome to his friend Tara V, who has successfully achieved long-term recovery from addiction. Tara graciously shares her personal story of how she navigated the challenges of addiction and found solace in the 12-step community. She also opens up about her spiritual journey and the transformative experiences that helped her on her path to recovery.
Fishing Without Bait 481: Jesus’ Message Was Simpler Than You Think
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and co-host Mike dive deep into the nature of spirituality and why it’s often misunderstood. While religion can bring structure and community, true spirituality is about something far more personal: connecting with the divine spark within yourself and recognizing it in others.
Fishing Without Bait 480: The 3 Big C’s That Drain Your Happiness (And How to Avoid Them!)
This week, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike take a deep dive into the “Three Big C’s” that can derail our happiness: comparing, criticizing, and complaining. Together, we break down the difference between jealousy and envy, why criticism often comes from unhappiness within ourselves, and how constant complaining can turn people into “emotional vampires.”
Fishing Without Bait 479: Finding Your Moral Compass: Mindfulness, Recovery & Navigating a Divided World
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, behavioral health therapist Jim Ellermeyer dives deep into mindfulness, moral integrity, and navigating a divided world. Jim shares the five essential attributes for living with purpose—knowing right from wrong, having a moral compass, being dependable, being honest, and treating others with courtesy and respect.
Fishing Without Bait 478: Redefining Success: Vulnerability, Sobriety & the Executive Mindset with Nick Jonsson
Fishing Without Bait—hosted by Jim Ellermeyer—continues our conversation (Part 3) with TEDx speaker and best‑selling author Nick Jonsson (Executive Loneliness). We unpack executive mental health, burnout, and recovery as Nick describes moving from “I have to” to “I choose,” owning financial insecurities, confronting toxic masculinity, and evolving from command‑and‑control leadership to an identity grounded in values rather than titles or status.
Fishing Without Bait 477: Executive Loneliness: Breaking the Silence with Nick Jonsson
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer welcomes Nick Jonsson, TEDx speaker and best-selling author of Executive Loneliness (🌐 www.nickjonsson.com). Together, they dive deep into the hidden struggles of high-achieving professionals, particularly the silent epidemic of executive isolation and burnout.